https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:18:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124859 Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:16:47 +0000 C★ 2124859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your comments!</p> <p>For the longest time I thought I was a hourglass (just not a very pronounced one) but then the Internet told me my measurements meant rectangle. The Internet does lie a lot so I guess I'll follow my instincts and yours! :P</p> <p>Toban, you are so right, tops that have the waist cut in the right place would be fantastic! Maybe one of the reasons I am convinced I have no waist is because all the tops I try on have a waist that falls right where my belly is the most rounded instead of at my actual waist. But petite plus tops are so hard to find! My local plus size store has petite pants but no petite tops or dresses. And ordering online from American stores is so expensive...</p> <p>In any case, I think I have some reading to do! Thank you all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124766 Sun, 31 May 2020 18:28:28 +0000 Vix 2124766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi C —</p> <p>Another who sees an Hourglass shape! [Short-waisted Rectangle myself so would love to have you in the club, but....]</p> <p>I can’t tell from your photos but if you feel like you’re carrying weight in your stomach you can always read Angie’s tips in the blog archives for HG and Apple shape. Then look for ideas re short-waisted, busty, etc. too.</p> <p>Great ideas already from members above! </p> <p>I think the silhouettes you’re showing in your post are generally great...seeing the “in/out” curves!</p> <p>For the raspberry top I’d experiment gathering it to the side or in the back so you see more leg and less fabric. You can try knotting, using a hair tie or safety pin to hold it, etc. Then if you’re handy unlike me you can sew it the way you like if the effect pleases you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124762 Sun, 31 May 2020 18:18:21 +0000 Toban 2124762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely not a rectangle. You’re a beautiful hourglass. As a petite hourglass you may find more success with petite cuts that put the waists and chest darts, armholes, length of rise in pants, etc... in the proper places for your frame. Speaking from experience, I am also a curvy petite with short torso. </p> <p>However, some petite cuts simple shorten length ... these aren’t helpful when the pant rise is too long, which occurs lots with high-rise pants. </p> <p>My favorite petite brands are Boden, Ann Taylor, and Talbots (good success with Talbots jeans). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124758 Sun, 31 May 2020 17:49:59 +0000 The Cat 2124758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t see "a fat rectangle". What I see, is a nicely rounded and well proportioned hourglass. And I do notice your waistline. Your waist might be short, but it is definitely there, so please don't hide it. A column of colour with lines that softly skim (not cling to) your body would probably look great. So would a tunic that follows your curves plus slim pants that could be in a different colour but with matching footwear.</p> <p>I suggest you search and read advice for hourglasses instead of rectangles.<br /> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124514 Sat, 30 May 2020 14:53:28 +0000 Liz 2124514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Welcome! I think you can start playing with proportions some, and maybe find some combinations you'd like. For example, in the photo above with the lovely pink top, the hem of the top and the hem of the cardigan line up with each other. If the hem of the top were shorter, it would lengthen the leg line, yet the long black line of the cardigan would still create that column of color with the jeans. You could experiment by trying that outfit on again and knotting the hem of the top over by a side seam to pull it up shorter. Playing with proportions like that in front of a mirror might be fun and give you some ideas. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Another trick I sometime use is to create a "false" waist line. For example, you could experiment with a light blue cropped denim jacket. If you wear this over a column of black, the horizontal line at the bottom the jacket will say "here's the waistline."&nbsp; The attached screen shot is from OldNavy Canada and the jacket is darker than I'd wear for summer, but it gives you the idea. In fact, a denim jacket over a dress with a nipped in waist right under the bust -- like that last outfit idea -- might be cute too.</div><div><br /></div><div>(And I echo what KKards says, that a column of color doesn't need to be black.)<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124487 Sat, 30 May 2020 13:23:27 +0000 kkards 2124487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you’ve gotten some good advice so far, just want to add that a column of color, which is one of my favorite ways to dress because its easy and because i think it will make me look taller, doesn’t need to be black.&nbsp;<br />And Welcome!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124429 Sat, 30 May 2020 05:07:00 +0000 Jenni NZ 2124429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My bad not to recognise one of our own lakes! In my defence, I live in the north of the North Island and Tekapo is in the middle of the South Island. Glad you enjoyed our country! I’ve enjoyed yours on my two trips there, 1989 and 2009. Western Canada only. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124428 Sat, 30 May 2020 04:49:47 +0000 C★ 2124428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes Jenni it is Hobbiton, and the other pic is actually Lake Tekapo! It is true some of your NZ landscapes are similar to ours in Canada! Both pictures are from my honeymoon trip to New Zealand, which is definitely my favourite place I have ever visited. :)</p> <p>And Rachylou, I get what you mean (especially in that picture from my early 20's), but I swear now when I look in a mirror I can practically see my hips start right where my bust finishes! I can't wait for the high-waisted pants trend to be over, I could practically use them as a bra... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124423 Sat, 30 May 2020 03:45:17 +0000 Jenni NZ 2124423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I am 5 foot 1 and a half I think! 156 cm. Extra half inch important!<br /> I agree with Rachylou, you certainly look like you were an hourglass in pic 4, the swimsuit pic. I started off a pear and became more apple-like over time, so I read guidelines for both those shapes.<br /> Do I spy Hobbiton ( Matamata NZ) in your pics?!<br /> And maybe beautiful Canadian mountains in another pic?<br /> I find asymmetrical tops quite useful too, and ones with a floaty bit underneath. Seem to draw the eye a bit to the asymmetry rather than the middle maybe? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124420 Sat, 30 May 2020 03:02:47 +0000 rachylou 2124420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have a cute figure. You’re an hourglass in my book. I think circumference measurements throw things off... the best is just side to side, because that reveals shape. Your leg to torso proportions also look pretty ideal to me... I’m pretty convinced my legs start at my neck, I’m so short-waisted, haha! Anyways, I’d be interested how showing ankle would change the look of things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124418 Sat, 30 May 2020 02:52:56 +0000 C★ 2124418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh the famous column of colour! I do wear black head-to-toe more often than I care to admit. Using a jacket to allow for a splash of colour while maintaining the column of black sounds great.</p> <p>And thanks Donna! I do have a few tunics with asymmetrical hemlines but I'll be sure to pay attention to that for other types of shirts and blouses as well. Jumpsuits are one of those things I wish I could pull off, but unfortunately they're always way too long for my torso.</p> <p>To answer your question, my style is fairly simple, with mostly pieces that I can mix and match easily. I work in an environment where I could show up in jeans and band t-shirts every day if I wanted, so I try to dress up a little but not so much that I would look out of place. My usual go-to's are black jeans with a blouse, semi-casual dresses, or thick leggings (like ponte) with a tunic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124413 Sat, 30 May 2020 01:50:44 +0000 DonnaF 2124413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dang! Just lost my post. I echo Bijou re asymmetrical hem lines, including handkerchief hems. Learned from Angie! I layer the striped sleeveless dress over the marled one. I avoid horizontal hems like the plague and will semi- or half-tuck tops into my pants. Also learned from Angie.</p> <p>I used to avoid ruching thinking it added bulk. Trick is to buy the right size and to get the ruching at a slant. Hides all kinds of fluff! Another trick from Angie. Dunno what I would do without her.</p> <p>Finally, I hear you on the wide pants. I am also 5' 1" and I am close to positive that my legs are shorter than yours. Your waist sounds higher than mine so you get a longer leg line than I, but have you considered a jumpsuit? It eliminates a horizontal line. I always wear a t-shirt or shirt under mine btw.</p> <p>Hope these ideas help but I'm not sure what type of clothing you seek or your needs or lifestyle. Also, I have no idea if the stuff below is on trend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124406 Sat, 30 May 2020 00:46:12 +0000 Bijou 2124406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to the forum C. Don’t worry, most of us have struggles with less than perfect figures. Whilst I am X shape, so have different figure issues to you, to slim my figure down, I wear a column of colour. Also asymmetrical hem lines (in tops and skirts) slims things down. I like vertical lines, so will wear one colour under a coat that creates a line of colour.</p> <p>I am sure you will get lots of great advice. I know that after having my son my figure changed, my waist was not what it was. With the help of the forum I now feel better dressed than ever before.  </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/chunky-rectangle#post-2124331 Fri, 29 May 2020 20:48:50 +0000 C★ 2124331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi! I found this forum when I Googled "how to dress a fat rectangle" and came across an old post from 9 years ago. Of course that post is a bit out of date now so I'm making a similar post to get more recent advice.</p> <p>My measurements (roughly 47-42-48) say I'm a rectangle, but I don't really fit the description of a rectangle. I have a 42DDD bust and a big bottom and big thighs. But my torso is so short there is basically no room for a waist, and what little waist definition I have disappears when I gain weight. I am 5'1.</p> <p>I'm attaching a few photos of me. The last one (in the swimsuit) is from 6 years ago when I was about 60-70 pounds lighter, maybe it can help visualize what body type lies under all the lumps.</p> <p>I usually wear skinny pants because other pants make me look like a box. Despite having a short torso, I don't have long legs, so it's hard to find straight or wide pants that don't make my legs look almost as wide as they are long. Unfortunately I'm aware skinny pants make my top and lower halves look disproportionate.</p> <p>Any advice is appreciated! </p>